Philips set top recorder DVDR7200 with Freeview and HDMI

Available
in May for about £400, Philips has announced a new recorder that can capture OTA
programming and sports a nice HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) for a
clean install. In case you don't know already, the HDMI is like a digital video
interface with the capability of carrying the audio as well. It does have a
SCART hookup too though.

Customer Benefits of HDMI 100% Digital No Compression, no conversion Pure digital picture and sound direct from the source (as it was meant to be seen and heard) Video and Audio signal remains digital from output device to display device Best quality sound and picture Bandwidth to spare for HDTV 1080p capable and beyond Over two times 1080i bandwidth Includes YUV color space support Only one cable required All HD video and audio in one cable Replaces up to 8 audio and 5 video cables Reduced Wiring Complexity Automatic Format Intelligence* TV & AV Receivers can adjust without consumer intervention Video source receives the display's supported video formats, and outputs the optimal audio & video format Display regularly receives video format & aspect ratio from sources Consumer Electronics Control* Entire home theater controlled from a single remote Enables high-level functions such as "one-touch play"

The above
benefits of HDMI was taken from the HDMI.org site. Of course, HDMI has a
another side that can along with high-bandwidth digital-content protection or
HDCP, be used for the protection of digital content. A specification developed
by Intel, it will surely come into play as we begin to receive very high quality
content over the airwaves. What the end result will be is anyones guess, but
it's coming. HDCP encrypts the transmission of digital content between the
video source, or transmitter, and in this case a set-top box and
the monitor or television. HDCP is not designed to prevent copying or
recording of digital content but to protect the integrity of content as it is
being transmitted. You can read
more about it here at the HCDP LLC website, they have all the specs.

You may say who in the heck want's that? I have to say that although I can't
see the future and what controls we will be saddled with, this HDMI or even the
older Digital Video or DVI interface is sweet. Because it's handy in that
it can be used to sense the signal and make proper adjustments to your TV with
the right equipment. This is what they're calling Automatic Format Intelligence.
For instance, using the DVI interface at home on my setup, It "knows" that I
want all 4:3 programming to be displayed in Zoom mode to fill my 16:9 screen. If
I switch to a channel with letterbox programming - presto, it is out of
zoom. Finally, if I stumble on a program in High Definition, the set displays it
in 1080i rather than 480i without me having to flip the switch on my HD
receiver! So, I am hooked on DVI at least.

Getting back to the Philips recorder, a Freeview, or free to view
programming,  (terrestrial digital) tuner is being added to this dual
layer DVD+R/RW recorder. Apparently, this is a bit of an innovation for this
type of hardware and if so, it will be quite popular. Couple that with
the 5.1 audio recording capability, Guideplus programming guide and this
box is pretty cool.

Those of you interested in this type recorder should make sure to visit our
Stand Alone
Devices & Home Entertainment Forum. 

Source: Engadget